ASU’s Malzahn to visit Heber Springs today

Tuesday

May 15, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 29, 2012 at 11:14 AM

As part of the “Head of State Road Tour”, sponsored by First Security Bank, new Arkansas State Head Football?Coach Gus Malzahn will be speaking at the ASU-Heber Springs’ Entergy Room (Administration Building) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday as one of 15 stops on his trek through the state of Arkansas this week.

Jerry Scott

As part of the “Head of State Road Tour”, sponsored by First Security Bank, new Arkansas State Head Football?Coach Gus Malzahn will be speaking at the ASU-Heber Springs’ Entergy Room (Administration Building) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday as one of 15 stops on his trek through the state of Arkansas this week.
“At ASU-Heber Springs, we look forward to the opportunity to meet Coach Malzahn and welcome him to the ASU family. We would love to see our community come out and show their support for the ASU Red Wolves Tuesday afternoon,” said Dr. Chris Boyett, ASU-Heber Springs Vice Chancellor.
Similar in concept to the football program’s statewide recruiting efforts called the A-State Ambush, this week’s speaking tour will give ASU fans maximum exposure to Malzahn’s thoughts on on the Red Wolves’ spring camp, offseason, upcoming season and much more. In addition to hearing from and visiting with Malzahn, those in attendance at each location will have the opportunity to hear from ASU?Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee and gather information about the Red Wolf Club and season football tickets. Free admission will be granted at all stops on the tour.
“We are excited to kickoff this statewide tour and have a meet-and-greet with current and potential A-State fans,” said Malzahn. “Our goal is to make this a statewide program for all fans to enjoy. We also want to thank First Security Bank for not only sponsoring this event, but for all the support they continue to give our football program.”
The three-day speaking excursion will begin Tuesday with a noon stop in Searcy at First Security Bank, followed by a 2 p.m. visit at the ASU-Beebe Student Center Cafe, his stop at the ASU-Heber Springs Administration Building’s Entergy Room and a 7 p.m. stop at the ASU-MountaIn Home Community Center’s Grand Hall.
“First Security Bank is excited to be the title sponsor of this event," said Reynie Rutledge, chairman and CEO of First Security. "We've been a part of Arkansas for 80 years, and we're always looking for opportunities to support our communities and connect with our customers. We look forward to great things ahead under Coach Malzahn and join other ASU fans in welcoming him back home."
The tour will continue Wednesday with six stops, including Springdale’s Cross Church at 9 a.m., First Security Bank of Springdale at 10:30 a.m., Fort Smith’s Pendergraft Park at 12:30 p.m., Russellville’s Cracker Barrel at 2:30 p.m., First Security Bank of Conway at 4:30 p.m. and Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.
The tour’s final day will feature stops at First Security Bank of Bryant at 9 a.m., Pine Bluff’s Harbor Oaks at 11 a.m., El Dorado’s Corrine Court at 2 p.m., Fordyce’s Civic Center at 4 p.m. and the Hot Springs Convention Center at 7 p.m.
“We feel this is an excellent opportunity for us to interact with our fans and alumni across the state on a very personal level, while also giving them an opportunity to meet their new head football coach,” said Lee. “With the growing interest level in our football program and the excitement Coach Malzahn has brought to not only ASU, but the entire state, we feel this tour will be well-received and very rewarding for both us and our fan base.”
Malzahn, rated as the No. 4 best hire in the nation by CBSSports.com, is ready to take the Red Wolves to new heights in 2012. Malzahn, also 1 of 2 head coaches in the nation who received Sporting News’ grade of A+ among new hires, will have the services of senior quarterback Ryan Aplin in the upcoming season. Aplin is the defending Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and is on pace to break every major career passing and total offense record at A-State.
“Our fans and alumni have responded with such enthusiasm since Coach Malzahn was named head coach,” said Director of the Red Wolf Club Doug Doggett. “Many of them have not had a chance to meet him in person. This will be a great opportunity for the A-State family to come together and for us to say thanks for the tremendous support. I’ve enjoyed working with our supporters at each location, and they’ve all expressed excitement to have us visiting their communities. I can’t wait to travel the state with our new coach and talk to our fans about the great things happening at Arkansas State.”